Excavating-machine.



No. 884,492, PATBNTBD APR.14,'1908.A r. M JOHNSON. BXGAVATING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED HAB. 21, 1907. l

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

y Ziff/265365,"

No. 884,492. PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

v v F. M. JOHNSON.

' EXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB. 21. 1907.

v SHEETS-SHEET z.

110.884,492. PATNNTED' APR. v14, 1908. P. M. JoHNsoN. v

BXGAVATING MACHINE.

.APPLIOTION FILED HAB. 21, 1907.

No. 984,492. PATBNTED APR.14,1908. P. M. JoHNsoN.

EXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED 1:43.91. 1907.

PATENTED APR. 14, 1908t P. M JOHNSON. EXGAVATING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED MAB. 21, 1907.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

No. 884,492. v PATENTED APR. 14, 1908. E'. M. JOHNSON.

` BXGAVATING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED 11.12.21, 1907.

'1 SHEETS-SHEET s.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

F. M. JOHNSON. EXGAVATINGMAGHINE.

lllillllll'l UNITED STATES PATENT oEEroE.

FRANCIS M. JOHNSON, OF OREGON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALPHEUS ELTON i HOLCOMB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EXCAVATING-MACHINE.

spcification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 14, 1908.

VApplication led March 21, 1907'.Y Serial No. 863,726.

To all 'whom it may concern:

l.Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. JoHNsoN, l

a citizen of the United States, residing at Oregon, in the county of Ogle and State of,

y the following is a full, clear, concise, and

- cavating device' of whic exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to improvements in excavating machines and particularly to that class of excavators known as bucket' excavators.

One of the objects of myinvention is to provide van excavating machine, the ex- Ii may be arranged to travel longitudinally of the ditch.

Another object of my machine is to provide an excavator, the excavating device of which may be arranged to .dig any width desired within predetermined llmits.

v A further object of my invention is to rovide an excavating machine in which 1t is unnecessary to excavate a portion of the ditch by manual labor in order that excavation can be properly started, my machine being so constructed that. the excavator may be adjusted to start on the work fronl the top of the ground.

Another object of my invention is to provide an excavating machine bywhich the sides of the ditch may be given'any desired slo e. p

`ther objects of my invention will appear in the following specification and appended claims.

For the purpose of disclosing my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawin s, one deviceembodying my invention.

In the said drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my excavator, Fig. 2 is an end view thereof, Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the upper tumbler andguide frame, Fig. 4 is. a section taken on the line 1*4 of Fig. 3, F1g. 5 is -a side elevation of the upper tumbler land' guidey frame, Fig. 6 is a detail of the bucket tumbler, Fig. 7 is a plan of the valve, a ron and c'onveyers, Fig. 8 is a detail view o the dumping valve, Fig. 9 is a detail section lshowing the dumping apronsl and a portion lo'f the conveyers, Fig. 10 is a detail view of the upper tumbler drive sprocket and the idler and roller frame, Fig: 11 is an end view of the devi-ce shown in Fig. 10, Fig. 12 is a plan view of the sluing arrangement for the guide frame.

In order that an understandin of the relation of the various parts of my evice may be obtained, I will first describe the general construction of the excavating device as a whole and the relative arrangement ofthe f parts thereof.

In the device illustrated inthe drawings upon two sets of rails 2 are arranged wheel trucks 3. These trucks have mounted thereon and extending transversely of theditch, a bridge 4 having tracks arranged on the upper side thereof. Rollers 5 mounted in rigid truck frames operate upon the tracks and carry thereon a carriage 6 for the operating mechanism of the excavator.

The excavating device consists of a plurality of buckets carried by a suitable bucket ladder 7, the. upper end of which is adjustably supported in the upper tumbler yguide frame, revolubly mounted on the roller se plate of the carriage. The low-.er end of the ladder 7 is supported 'and is arranged to'beadjusted vertically by means ofthe ladder handle 9 which in turn is carried by a ladder boom, 10 projecting from the tumbler uide frame 8. By this arrangement the adder may be raised or lowered to vary the depth of the ditch and the angle at which the bucket may be operated may be adjusted from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical according to the bank slope required. -It will be seen. from the above that the bridge 4 may be moved along the ditch. on the trucks 3 as the cutting progresses, thus keeping the buckets constantly up against the face of the cut while the carriage carrying the buckets, ladder and operating machine is moved transversely of the ditch as `t e dirt is removed.

For the purpose of carrying the excavated material away to the spoil banks, I provide a pair ofconveyers traveling in opposite directions, on either one. of which-the buckwhich, said frame may be rotated to permit j the excavating within a circle.

To propel the trucks 3', a driving sprocket 13 is mounted upon the axle of one set of the buckets to operate anywhere wheels on each truck and a driving chain 14 cross member of the guide frame. 8 is Ipro- 5 end of a second shaft 18 which is provided at its opposite end with a sprocket 19. This sprocket is driven by a ycontinuous 'drive c ain 20 connected with the driving sprocket 21 operated by the engine. The carriage 6 is arranged to carry the `motor 21l for operating lthe various-mechanisms of the excavatorand also supports the upper tumbler guide frame 8.

For pivotally su porting the upper ytumbler guide frame, t e carriage 6 is provided with a lower platform 22 and an u per pintle bearing 22a which project beyon the main frame, (see Fig. 2) and between which the tumbler guide is mounted upon a base-plate or turn table 12, secured to the platform 22 and provided with a track upon which the rollers 24 of the connecting cross beam at the bottom of the-tumbler guide frame 8 operate. .The guide frame 8 comprises av bottom cross member 25, a pair of vertically extending guide members 26 and an upper cross member 27 which constitute a framework within which is mounted the upper tumbler of the bucket chain and the operating mechanism forthe buckets. The upper vided with a socket 28 in which is arranged to fit a pivot member 29 secured to the under side'of the'platforrn 23.

Secured to the bottom of the guide frame lower cross beam and pintle bearing, is a swing circle sheave 30, around which passes a cable 31 which is operated from a drum 32 mounted on the carriage 6 and driven through the o erating motor of the excavator for rotating. t e upper'tumbler guide frame 8*. j A air of idler pulleys 33 are mounted upon t e lower platform 22 to guide the cable land"` prevent the cable from spreading. Alsilritable mechanism (not shown) is introduced lbetween the drum 32 and the driving shaft of the engine, whereby 'the drum may be rotated in two directions.

a The upper ends of the ladder 7 terminate 1n a pair of arms 34 provided with bearings 35 mounted upon the upper tumbler shaft. The journals at, the outer ends of the shaft are provided with sup orts 38 carrying transversely extending ro nally extendin rollers 40 which bear. against the vertical members ,.26 and a pair o tracks 41 mounted upon saidmembers, respectively. This arrangement forms a vertical guide for the journals of the shaft 37. The journals are raised and lowered by means of chains 42 having one end secured to collars 43 passing around the journals and the other end wound upon drums 44 mounted upon a shaft 45 stationarily supported at thc upper end of the tumbler guide frame 8.

ers 39 and longitudisprocket chain 52 from the sprocket 53 mount ed upon a horizontal shaft, driven by a beveled gear connected with a vertical driving shaft 54, the lower end of which shaft has a beveled-driving connection 55 with driving shaft of the engine.

A suitable clutching and reversing mechanism (not shown) is provided on the engine driving shaft whereby the drum shaft 45 may be caused to rotate in either direction. It is ap arent that according to the direction in whrcli the shaft 45 is operated, the upper end of the ladder guide will be raised or lowered.

The bucket ladder 7 comprises a pair of parallel\ members 56 on the inner side/of which are formed ,tracks or guides 57 withinv which operate the rollers 58 of the bucket chain 59. The-bucket chain 59 is driven by means of the rotatn tumblers 60, keyed to the up er tumbler s aft. Buckets 61, one form o which is illustrated in the drawin s, are secured at regular intervals to the lin,

of theV chain 59. The lower end of the chain 59 passes over similar tumblers mounted in the lower end of the ladder frame 7. As the bucketsreach the to of their course, due to the shape of the tum lers 60, they are turned bottom side up and dumped, and as they ass over the tumblers 60 a scraper 62 projecting from the collars 35 scrapes out anyj dirt that sticks to the bottom 'of the bucket.

For driving the tumblers 60 `a pair of sprockets 63 are keyed nu on the shaft 45-and are driven by driving :c ains 64. In order that the chains 64' may always beoperative, irrespective of the position'of the sprockets 63, supporting frames 65 are mounted uponv shaft 37 and are provided at their upper and lower ends with idler sprockets 66 over which' the chains pass before they are looped over the sprockets 63. i

At the upper end of the tumbler guide frame are mounted two shafts 67 and 68 which carry sprocket wheels 69 and 70 over which the sprocket chains 64 pass. A set of shafts 71 is provided .at the lower end of the frame having similar sprocket wheels over which the driving chains 64 pass. Motion is transmitted to the drivin chains 64 by rotating the shafts' 68. This 1s accomplished by a'gear wheel 72 arranged to mesh with gear wheel 73 loosely mounted u on shaft 45, and having secured on Pitshu a b evel i'oo A 'iro i ried at the outer end of the boom 10. This gear 74 in turn meshing with a bevel ear 75 mounted on the lower end of the qui l shaft 76 journaled in the upper' end of the` qu1ll shaft 76 carries a bevel 77 arranged to mesh with a bevel gear 78 driven by its sprocket wheel 79. p

The s rocket wheel 79 is driven by a second cham 52 which in turn receives its motion from a second shaft 54 o eratedv in the same manner as has been escribed with respect to the raising and lowering mechanism. The lower end of the ladder 7 is raised andlowered by the ladder handle 9 which is provided with a rack 80 operated by a gear 81 mounted -upon the shipper shaft 82 carshaft is driven by a shaft 83 extending along the boom 10 and'having a bevel connection with the shaft 82. The inner end of the shaft 83 has a beveled gear connection 84 with a shaft 85 mounted upon the lower end of the upper tumbler uide frame 8 and this shaft is driven throug a bevel ear connection 86 with a vertically exten ingshaft 87 extending up through the turn-ta le pintle bearing 22%4 The lower end of the shaft 87 has a bevel gear connection with a horizontal shaft 88 driven from the engine. A clutching and reversing mechanism (not shown) is provided on the en ine for throwing this mechanism into an out of operative rotation with the motor. l

The dirt emptied from the buckets 61 drops down u on a table 89 mounted on the carriage-6. his table is pivoted so that it can be inclined from the horizontal on either side of its pivot so that the dirt ma pass to either side of the'aprons 90 or 91. 89 is tilted by means of worm gear 92 operated by the handle 93. The aprons 9 0 and 91 are shaped and slope towards a pair of .traveling conveyers 94 which travel in op posite directions and are operated by any suitable operating mechanism.

In order that the dirt may be dumped from the conveyers at any desired point, one side of the conveyers is provided with a series of gates 95 hinged at 96-to permit their being adjusted obliquely across the top of the conveyer, whereby as the dirt is4 carried along by the-conve er, it will strike the oblique gate and be de ected oi'lg' the side of the conveyer. In operation, the buckets of the excavator are arranged longitudinally of the ditchand lowered until they rest upon the surface-of the ground, the buckets are then started to digging. While the digging chain is-in motion, transverse motionis given to the su orting ladder carriage and therefore to t e Bucket ladder, which causes the digging buckets to cut and remove the earth with their sides as well as their front edges, and as the ladder traverses the proposed bottom width of the ditch. Having reached its limit of motion sidewise,the ends of the bucket ladpivot pintle 29. The

he table der are lowered for another cut and the movversely of the ditch. l This leaves the Walls 0f the ditch vertical and after the ditch is completed, or a predetermined length of the ditch 1s cut, the buckets are turned transversely of the ditch and arranged 'at the proper angle to out the slant desired, andagain lowered to cut the sides of the ditch.

While I have described the carriage for the operating mechanism of the excavator as being operative on a bridge, it will be understood that I do not Wish to be limited to this construction as the carriage may be used independently of the bridge, as for instance, the carriage itself may operate on rails extending along the side of the ditch.

When used without the bridge, the carriage is preferably rovided with a second set of Wheels exten ing at right anglesand adjustable to permit the carriage to rest upon either set of wheels, whereby the carriage or excavating mechanism carried thereby, may operate upon rails extending longitudinally o the ditch, or upon rails extending at right angles to the ditch. rl`he rails extending at right angle to the ditch may extend to a second set of transverseliyT extending rails, upon which the carriage may be arranged to operate after the operation of cuttin is erlformed While the carriage is u on t e rst.

set of rails, and if desired, a sti l further set of rails ma be placed longitudinally of 'the ditch to w 'ch the carriage may be shifted after the second cut, thus permitting the ditch to be cut in the Width desired.

When the carriage is used without the bridge, it is preferable to remove the dirt to the spoil bank by means of trains of cars, wagons or the like.

While I have described one specific form of my invention, it will be understood that I do notwish to be limited thereby, as various modifications and changes ma be made without departing from the spirit of my appended clalms. a

I claim: Y

1. In an excavator, the combination with a carriage, of a bucket ladder supported thereby having the outer end thereof eX- tending downwardly and arranged to have the buckets travel thereon so that the cut of each bucket extends across the entire face of the bank,and means for adjusting each end of the ladder independently of the other end.

2. In `an excavator, the combination with a carriage, of a bucket ladder supported thereby having the outer end thereof extending downwardl and arranged to have the buckets travel t ereon so that the cut of each bucket extends acrossv the entire face of the bank, and means for adjusting the height of, each end of the ladder independently of the other end. l

3. In an excavator, the combination with travel thereon so that the cut of each bucket.

extends across the entire face of the bank, means for adjusting each end of the ladder 4inde endently of the other end, and means fors uing the ladder.

N4. In an excavator, the combination with a carriage, of a bucket ladder su ported thereby and arranged to Vhave the buckets travel thereon so that the cut of each bucket extends across the entire face of the bank, means for adjusting the height of each end 'of the ladder independentl of the other end, and means for sluing the adder.

5. In an excavator, the combination with a bridge, of a carriage movable thereon, a bucket ladder supported thereby having the outer end thereof extendin downwardly and arranged to have the Auckets travel thereon so that the cut of each bucket extends across the entire face ofthe bank,` and means -for adjusting both ends of said ladde to vaiy the4 slope of the back. l6. n an excavator, the combination with a bridge, of a carriage movable 4thereon, a

bucket ladder supported therebyhavingthe outer end thereof extendin .downwardly and arranged tohave the uckets travel thereonso that the cut of each bucket ex- .tends across the entire face of the bank, and

means` for adj ustin the height of the ends of the ladder to vary .ie slope of the back.

l 7. In an excavator, :the combination with a bridge, of a. carriage movable thereon, a

v bucket ladder supported thereby having the a bridg 45 outer end thereof extendin downwardly andl arranged to have the uckets travel thereon so that the vcut of each bucket extends across the entire face of the bank, and meansfor adjustingeach end 'of the ladder independently of the other end.

8. In an excavator, the combination with e, ofacarriage movable thereon, a bucket ladder supported thereby-having the outer end thereof extendingdownwardly and arranged to have the buckets travel thereon so that the cut of each bucket extends across the entire face of the bank, and means for adjusting the height of each end of the ladder lndependently of the other'end..

9. In an excavator, the combination with i a bridge, of a carriage movable thereon, a

bucket ladder supported thereby and arran ed to have the buckets travel thereon so t at the cut of each bucketextends across the entire face of the bank, means for adjusting both ends of said ladder, and means for slulng the ladder. v l

10.v In anexcavator, the combination with a bridge, of a carriage movable thereon, a bucket `ladder supported thereby and arran ed to have the buckets travel thereon so t at the cut of each bucket extends across the entire face of the bank, means for adssa-eels justing the height, of the' ends of the ladder,

and means for sluing the ladder to vary the slope of the back. 11. In an excavator, the combination with a bridge, of a carriage movable thereon, a bucket ladder su ported thereby and arran ed tohave tlIie buckets travel thereon so t at the cut of each `bucket extends across the entire face of the bank, means for adjusting each end of the ladder independently of the other end, and means foi' sluing the ladder. r

12. The combination with excavating buckets, of a table on which the same are arranged to dump, adjustable to. throw the dirt in dierent directions on conveyers arranged to receive it.

f 13. The combination with 4excavating.

plurality of conveyers, and a buckets, of a table adjusta le to throw the dirt discharged from said buckets upon any of said to throw the dirt discharged from said buckets upon any of said conveyers.

17. The combination 'with' excavating buckets, of means lfor sluing said buckets, a

Vplurality of conveyers operatin in different dlrections, and a table adjusta leto throw the dirtdischarged from said buckets upon any of said conveyers.

18. In an excavating-machine, the com- I bination with a face digging bucket ladder,

inde endently or simultaneously, an'd a rigi guide for the upperl end of the ladder. 19. In anexcavatmg machine, the combination with 'a'. facedigging bucket ladder, of means for raising and lowering the ends of the ladder simultaneously or independently and a rigid guide for the upper end of the ladder. v 20. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for moving the endsof the ladder 'ofmeans for-moving the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously and means for moving one end 4of the. ladder laterally and oscillatory about the pointof suspension of the other end. i

r 213 In an excavating machine, the combination vWith a face di ging bucket ladder,

of means lfor'raising or owering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously independently or simultaneously, means for suspension of the other end.

22. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder,

of means for moving the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, a rigid guide for one end ofthe ladder and means for moving one end of said ladder laterally and oscillatory about the the other end. 23. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for raising or owering the ends of the ladder lindependently or simultaneously, a rigid guide for one end of the ladder, and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

24. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means'for moving the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously and means for moving the ladder across the excavation from side to side to vary the width of the excavation. v i

25. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face di ging bucket ladder,

of means for raising or owering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously and means for moving the ladder across the Q excavation from side to side to vary the i width of the excavation.

bination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for moving the ends of the ladder moving the ladder across the excavation from side to side to vary the Width of the excavation and alrigid guide for one end of the ladder.

27. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for raising or owering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder across the excavation from side to side to vary the width of the excavation and a rigid guide for one end of the ladder.

28. In an excavating machine, the vconibination with a face digging bucket ladder having the outer end downwardly extending, of means for .moving the ends of .the ladder independently or simultaneously and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length of the ex cavation.

29. In an excavating machine, the' combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the outer end downwardly extending, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to .vary the length of the excavation.

30. In` an excavating machine, the compoint of suspension of.'

bination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for moving the ends of the ladder independently or'simultaneously, means for movingthe ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the len th'of the excavation and a rigid guide for t e upper end ofthe ladder.

31.` In an excavating machine, the combination with a face di ging bucket ladderl of meansl for raisin or owering the ends of the ladder indepen ently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length of the excavation and a rigid guide for the upper end of the ladder.

32. In an excavating machine, the coinbination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for moving the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, meansfor movin the ladder across theV excavation from side to side to vary the width of the excavation and means for moving theladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the 'of means for raisin or owering the ends of the ladder indepen ently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder across the excavation from side to side to vary the width of the excavation and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to n n vary the length of the excavation. 26. In an excavating machine, the coming the ladder across the excavation from side to side to vary the width ofthe excavation and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length ofthe excavation and a rigid guide for one end of the ladder.

35. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face dig ing bucket ladder, of means for raising or owering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder across the excavation from side to side to vary the width of the excavation, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length of the excavation and a rigid guide for oneend of the ladder.

36. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face diggin bucket ladder, of means for moving the en s of the ladder independently or simultaneously, .means for lmovin the ladder across the excavation to vary t e width of the excavation and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

37. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face dig ing bucket ladder, of means for raising or Iowering' the ends of 130 the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for movmg the ladder across the excavation to vary the width of the excavation and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

38. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face diggin bucket ladder, of means for moving the en s of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for movingL the ladder across the excavation to vary t e width of the excavation, a ri id guide for one end of the ladder and means or moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

39. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face dig ing bucket ladder, of means for raising or owering the ends of theladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder across the excavation to vary the width of the excavation, a rigid guide for one end 'of the ladder and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspensionof the other end.

y 40. In an excavating machine, the combination with aface digging bucket ladder, of means for moving the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation 'to vary the length oi' the excavation and mea'ns for-moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

41. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face dig ing bucket ladder, of means for raising o1 owering the ends of the ladder inde endently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length of the excavation and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

42. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face diggin bucket ladder, of means for moving the enf's of the ladder in dependently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length of the excavation, la rigid guide for one end of the ladder, and means for moving one end of the ladder .laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

43. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face dig ing bucket ladder, of means for raising or glowering the ends of the ladder inde endently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation tovary the length of the excavation, a rigid guide for one end of the ladder, and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

44. In an excavating machine, the combi-l nation with a* facediggin bucket ladder', of means for moving the en s of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder across the excavation/ to vary thewidth of the excavation, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length of the excavation and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and loscillatory 'about the point of suspension of theother end.

45. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face dig ing bucket ladder, of means for raising or owering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder across the excavation tonvary the Width of the excavation, means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the excavation to vary the length of the excavation and means for moving one end of the' ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other 6nd. 1

46. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for moving the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving the ladder across the excavation to vary the width of the excavation, means for moving the ladg der longitudinally of the excavation to varyA the length of the excavation, a rigid guide for one end of the`ladder and means for moving 'ladder and means `for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end.

48. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously at will to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depith and sloping the banks to any desired an e.

i9. In an excavating machine, the vcombination with a face digging bucket ladder having 'one tumbler end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for `raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously at will topermit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks to any desired angle, and means for moving the ladder across the ditch to vary the width of the ditch.

50. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raislng or lowering both ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously at will to permlt excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks to any desired angle, and means for moving the ladder lon- '10 gitudinally of the ditch to varyv the length of the ditch.

51. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having one upper tumbler end nearest the main supporting' body of the machine, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or `simultaneously atwill to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks to any desired angle, means for moving the ladder across the ditch to vary the width of the ditch, and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the ditch to vary the length of the ditch.

52. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising and lowering both ends of the ladder at Will to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the bank to any desired angle.

53. In an excavating machine,l the combination with a face digging bucket ladder arranged to dump toward the machine and having one end nearest the point of dumping of the buckets, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously at will to permit excavating aditch to the desired de th and sloping the banks to any desired ang e.

54. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having one end nearest the point of dumping of the buckets, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously at will to permit excavating a `ditch to the desired depth and sloping the y'banks to an desired angle and means for moving the fiidder across the ditch to vary the width of the ditch.

55. In anexcavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder arranged to dump toward the machine and having one end nearest the point of'dumping of the buckets, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously at will to permlt excavating a ditch to the desired depth and lsloping the banks to any desired angle, and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the ditch the buckets, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously at will to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and slo ing the banks to any desired angle, means or moving the ladder across the ditch to vary the width of the ditch, and means, for moving the ladder longitudinally of the ditch'to vary the length of the ditch.

57. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the dumping end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising and lowering both ends of the ladder at will t permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks to any desired angle. c

58. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest t0 the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising and lowering the ends of the ladder independently at will to permit 4 excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks thereof to any desired angle.

` 59. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the dumping end nearest to themain supporting body of the, machine, .of means for raising and lowering the ends of the ladder independently to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks thereof to any desired angle.

60. In an excavating machine, the combi-h nation with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest to the main su porting body of the machine, and means fgr independently or simultaneously raising and lowering both end s of the ladder at will, of an endless series of buckets mounted on rollers arranged to run in rigid guides secured to the ladder, whereby the buckets are held to the work rigidly and whereby the buckets may excavate the ditch to the desired depth and slope the banks thereof at any desired ahgle.

61. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder, of means for raising or lowering the lower end of the ladder oscillatory about the upper point of suspension of the ladder, means for raising and lowering the up er end of the ladder, and a rigid guide for t e upper endof the lad der.

62. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face di ging bucket ladder having one tumbler eng nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising and lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and los' sloping the banks to anydesired an le, and

means for fnoving one end of the la der laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end of the ladder.

63. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face di ging bucket ladder having one tumbler en nea-rest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the'ladder independently or simultaneously to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks to any desired angle, means for moving one end of the ladder laterallT and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end of the ladder and means for moving the ladder across the ditch.

64. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket'ladder having one tumbler end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks to any desired angle, means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end of the ladder and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the ditch to lvary the length of the ditch.

65. In an excavating machine, the combination with a'face di ging bucket ladder having one tumbler en nearest the main supportingbody olv the machine, of means for raising or lowering-the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously to permit excavating a vditch to the desired depth and .sloping the banks to any desired angle, means for moving one end of the ladder laterally andl oscillatoryabout the point of suspension of the other end of tlhe ladder, means for movin the ladder across the ditch to vary the wi th of the ditch and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the ditch to vary the length of the ditch.

66. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising and lowering the ends of the ladder independently-or simultaneously to permit excavating a ditch to the desired depth and sloping the banks at any desired angle, and means for moving the lower end of the ladder laterally or oscillatory about the upper point of suspension of the ladder. f

' 67. Inanexcavating machine, the combination with a face dig ing bucket ladder having one tumbler en nearest the point of dumping ofthe buckets,of means for raising or lowering the' ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously and means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end of the ladder. 68. In yan excavating machine, the combination with a facedigging bucket ladder having one tumbler end nearest the point of dumping of the buckets, of mea"ns for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the oint of, suspension of the other lend of the adder and means for moving the ladder across the ditch to'vary the width of the ditch.

69. In an excavating machine, the combination with a facedigging bucket ladder having one tumbler end nearest lthe point of dumping of the buckets, of means for raising or lowering the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving one end of the ladder laterally and oscillatory about the oint of suspension of theI other end of the adder and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the ditch to vary the length of the ditch. v

70. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having one tumbler end nearest the point of dumping of the buckets, of means for raising or lowermg the ends of the ladder independently or simultaneously, means for moving one end of the ladder laterall and oscillatory about the point of suspension of the other end of the ladder, means for movinL the ladder across the ditch to vary the ditch, and means for moving the ladder longitudinally of the ditch to vary the length of the ditch. i

71. In an excavatin machine, the combination with a face dlgging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest the oint of dum mg of the buckets, of means or raising an lowering the ends of the ladder independently orl simultaneously and means formoving the lower end of the ladder laterally or oscillator about the upper point of suspension of the adder.

72. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest the main supporting body of the machine, of means for raising and lowering'y the upper end of the ladder independently or simultaneously, an endless series of buckets mounted on rollers arran ed to run in rigid guides, securedto the adder whereby the buckets are held to the work rigidly, and means for moving the lower rend of the ladder laterally or oscillatory about the upper point ofsuspension of the ladder.

73. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder having the upper tumbler end nearest ointrof` dumping of the buckets, of means or raising an lowering the ends of the ladder'independently or simultaneously, an endless series ofbuckets mounted on rollers araied to run in rigid guides, secured to the er, and' means for moving the lower end the Widthof y of the` ladder laterally or oscillatory about the up er point of suspension of the ladder. 74. n an excavating machine, the combmation with a face digging bucket ladder,

of means for rais' or lowering the lower end of the ladder osclllatory about the upper point of suspension of the ladder, means for raising and lowering the upper end of the ladder, a rigid guide for the uplper end of the ladder, and means for sluing t e ladder.

75. A conveyer having a section of its side Wall adapted to be swung diagonally across the face of the conveyer belt and thus to scra e and guide the conveyed material from the elt and discharge it through the side openinprovided by such opened section.

76. an excavator, the combination with a conveying bridge, of rollers for the ends of the bridge to enable it to be bodily moved longitudinally of the ditch, a carriage adapted to travel on the bridge transversely of the ditch, an endless drive including a chain,

cable or the like, extending from end to end of the bridge, propelling mechanism for the trucks operated by sai endless drive, and means controllable from the carriage when in any position for o erating said endless drive to move the bri ge.

. 77. In an excavating machine, the combination with a face digging bucket ladder,

lof means for moving the ladder across the witnesses. l v

FRANCIS M. JOHNSON. Witnesses:`

W. PERRY HAHN, C. L. HOPKINS. 

